Cycling Laws in New York State and New York City

New York State and New York City both have laws and rules designed to protect
cyclists, as well as to control the conduct of cyclists upon its roadways.
Some of the rules are applicable in
both NYC and the State, while others are not. Below, we have compiled a list
of laws and rules to help you understand those that are applicable to
where you ride and to help you better understand the rules that are designed
to protect you from negligent drivers. You can also click on the links
below for a more complete list of rules throughout the State and City,
as well as those applicable to bicycle delivery persons and Pedicabs in NYC.

New York Bike or Vehicle Laws Superseded by the Administrative Code of
the City of New York

Pursuant to authority provided by §1642 of the Vehicle and Traffic
Law, the following provisions of such law shall not be effective in the
City of New York: §1112, 1142(b), 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1156(b),
1157, 1171, 1201, 1202, and 1234.

Why Are These Rules Applicable to Cyclists?

VTL § 1231 Bicyclists are granted all of the rights and are subject to all of the
duties of the driver of a motor vehicle.

RCNY § 4-02 (a) The provisions of N.Y.C. Traffic Rules are applicable to bicycles and
their operators.

RCNY § 4-12 (h) Cyclists involved in accidents resulting in death or injury to person
or damage to property must stop and give name, address, insurance information,
etc. and must report to the Police Department.

What Rules Help Protect Cyclists?

RCNY § 4-08(e)(9) It is against the law to park, stand or stop within, or otherwise obstruct
bike lanes.

RCNY § 4-12(p) Other vehicles shall not drive on or across bike lanes.

RCNY § 4-12(c) It is illegal to get out of a vehicle in a manner which endangers cyclists
(often referred to as "dooring").

VTL § 1146 Drivers to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, upon
any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary.

Equipment Required For Cyclists:

VTL § 1236(a) and
(e) Bicycles must have a white headlight, a red taillight and reflectors between
dusk and dawn.

VTL § 375 (24)(a) Cyclists
may not wear more than one earphone attached to a radio, tape player or other audio device while riding.

Rules for Children:

VTL § 1238 (a) Children under 14 but older than 5 must wear an approved helmet.

(b) A child under one is not permitted to ride on a bicycle.

(c) A child one or more years of age, but less than 5, must wear an approved
helmet and be carried in a properly affixed child carrier.

Cycling for Work? - Delivery and Other Commerical Purposes:

AC § 10-157 Bicycles used for commercial purposes.

Working cyclists must wear business identifying information on bike and
body, including operator's identification number.

Business must provide working cyclist with a helmet, according to A.N.S.I.
or Snell standards.

Working cyclists shall wear the helmet provided by business.

Working cyclists must carry, and produce upon demand, a numbered ID card
that includes operator's photo, name, home address, and business'
name, address, and phone number.

Working cyclists must abide by all equipment requirements stated in VTL 1236.

Business must maintain log book that includes the name, identification
number and place of residence of each working cyclist; and the date of
employment and discharge. The log book must also include information on
daily trips, identifying the working cyclist's identification number
and name; and name, place of origin, and destination. Owner of business
must file an annual report with the Police Department identifying the
number of bicycles it owns, the identification number, and identity or
any employees.

Rules for you while you ride in NYC

RCNY § 4-12 (p) Bicyclists may ride on either side of one-way roadways that are at least
40 feet wide.

RCNY § 4-12 (p) Bicyclists should ride in usable bike lanes, unless they are blocked or
unsafe for any reason.

VTL § 1234 Cyclists must ride by the right hand curb and no more than two abreast.
Does not apply in new York City. It is specifically superseded by 34 RCNY 4-02 (e).

AC § 19-176 Bicycles ridden on sidewalks may be confiscated and riders may be subject
to legal sanctions (see also: RCNY § 4-07(c)(3)).

RCNY § 4-07 (c)(3) No driving bikes on sidewalks, unless sign allows or wheels are less than
26 inches in diameter
and rider is twelve years or younger (see also: AC § 19-176).

RCNY § 4-14 (c) No person shall ride a bicycle in any park, except in places designated
for bike riding; but persons may push bikes in single file to and from
such places, except on beaches and boardwalks.

VTL § 1237 When turn signals are required, left turns shall be signaled with the
left hand, and right turns may be signaled with either hand.

VTL § 1233 Clinging to vehicles, or attaching bike to another vehicle being operated
on a roadway is prohibited.

RCNY § 4-12 (e) Cyclists must have at least one hand on handlebars at all times.

VTL § 1232 Cyclists must ride on a permanent seat, feet must be on pedals, and bike
must carry only the number of persons for which it is designed and equipped.

bikelaws.com

Please e-mail us if you need an emailed copy of any of the items above.

If you have any other questions or concerns regarding the rules and regulations
of cycling in New York City, New York State, Long Island, or Westchester,
feel free to contact us at 1-866-Flanzig or email us at info@NewYorkBikeLawyer.com

Attorney Advertising pursuant to New York RPC 7.1: Prior results do not
guarantee a similar outcome.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.
Address: 323 Willis Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501/ New York City,NY, Queens, NY (866)
352-6944 NYC Bike Crash lawyers and Dooring attorneys in New York.